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JAX can seamlessly take your project from model to data quickly through our breeding, phenotyping, and In Vivo Pharmacology Services groups. Or if you choose to use the model yourself, JAX® Mice are accepted by most facilities without the need for quarantine or rederivation.

Avoid unplanned costs and delays

From conditional knockouts (cKO) to reporter insertions and difficult genetic backgrounds, JAX has the experience to generate complex models in the timeframes you need. JAX is a pioneer in assisted reproductive techniques and has created a wide range of models using CRISPR/Cas9 technology.

Get the model you need on the genetic background you want

Not all genetic backgrounds are equal when it comes to reproductive biology, as some strains are more difficult than others to genetically manipulate. With CRISPR from JAX, you’ll be able to generate the precise model you need, confidently and efficiently.

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Our free learning resources empower you to make an informed decision about CRISPR from JAX.

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Design & Planning

Why are small KI models created with oligos and larger KI models created with plasmid donors?

Small knock-ins, such as a point mutation or a tag insertion may be accomplished by quickly synthetizing donor oligonucleotides up to 200 base pairs, which act as a donor for homology directed repair after CRISPR/Cas9 system generates double strand breaks in the genome. Larger KI is more efficient with a donor with longer homologous sequence and hence requires a plasmid donor.

What does JAX do to minimize off-target events?

Guides used in our CRISPR/Cas9 strategy are chosen to optimize efficiency while minimizing off-target effects. Factors taken into consideration include: sequence matches elsewhere in the genome other than the intended target site, the use of nickase strategy, purity and concentration of the CRISPR/Cas9 reagents, the use of circularized donor plasmid, etc. If the off-target effects are of concern for a particular project, we can address the concern by performing off-target analysis.

How do you reduce the risk of mosaicism? Any special screening?

Founder mice from a CRISPR/Cas9 project could be mosaic. Sequencing data of the alleles can be further decomposed using a software algorithm to characterize the nature of the mosaicism. It is possible to predict the different resulting alleles in founder mice and subsequently pick the animals most likely to be successful for N1 generation. However, it is important to note that due to mosaicism, the alleles seen from a tail snip or ear punch of founder mice may not necessarily be the same alleles found in sperm or oocytes that can be transmitted from founder to N1, so some alleles may be lost in germline transmission confirmation breeding. Thus, we recommend sending multiple founder animals (3-5) for N1 breeding.

Can JAX provide back sequence(s) of the specific guide RNA used to create the model?

It is included in the Project Plan.

MIJ/ET

How are embryo injections and transfers performed?

Embryos are isolated from females in the morning on the day of injection to ensure that they are at the 1-cell stage. CRISPR components (Cas9 mRNA, sgRNA(s), and any necessary DNA oligos or plasmids) are injected into the male pronuclei of embryos collected at .5dpc. Embryos are subsequently transferred into pseudopregnant females.

Founder ID

Does the genotyping of the founders include evaluation of other mutations that may have been introduced in/around the site of the intended mutation site?

Yes, we usually sequence ~400 bp region around any guide target sequence which should cover projects involving Indels and point mutations. If a plasmid donor is used, then LR-PCR would evaluate overall integrity of the targeted locus and the region around the end of homology arms and the insertion site should be sequenced.

Does the genotyping also involve evaluation for mosaicism?

We will genotype the founder mice by direct sequencing of PCR product. Analysis of sequencing results usually allows us to estimate relative frequency of the WT and modified alleles.

Are there ways to skew the deletions versus the indels at the individual sgRNA sites?

We are still figuring out what conditions favor large deletion over Indels.

Can I get sequence files of the indel genotyping sequence for my project?

We will send you raw sequencing data.

Are the founders and N1 both homozygous?

It is possible to generate founder mice homozygous for a particular allele. However, seemingly homozygous mice based on PCR genotyping can have mosaicism in different tissues including germline cells. After breeding to WT animals, N1 would be heterozygous for the targeted allele. Homozygous mice can be generated in the N2 generation.

Are the frameshift mutations causing a premature stop? In other words, how sure are you that we have created a KO?

There are multiple out-of-frame stop codons in the downstream coding exons, which would cause premature termination of translation in frameshifting Indel mutants.

How do you choose the founders to breed forward?

Recommendation was based on the frequency of frameshifting Indel alleles, but eventually it is your choice.

Why should founders be bred to wildtype animals? Can't we just breed founders together?

Founder animals are often mosaic and carry multiple different Indel alleles of the targeted gene even in a single founder animal. Due to this mosaicism, we recommend any founder is bred to a WT mouse to confirm germline transmission and separate individual alleles in N1 mice. This also reduces potential risk of off-target effect.

What is CRISPR?

CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat) and Cas9 (CRISPR associated) endonucleases represent a game-changing development in genetic engineering. This translates to faster, more cost-effective generation of mouse models for your research project.

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"MICE" means mouse strains, their progeny derived by inbreeding or crossbreeding, unmodified derivatives from mouse strains or their progeny supplied by The Jackson Laboratory ("JACKSON"). "PRODUCT(S)" means biological materials supplied by JACKSON, and their derivatives. "SERVICES" means projects conducted by JACKSON for other parties that may include but are not limited to the use of MICE or PRODUCTS. "RECIPIENT" means each recipient of MICE, PRODUCTS, or SERVICES provided by JACKSON including each institution, its employees and other researchers under its control. MICE or PRODUCTS shall not be: (i) used for any purpose other than the internal research, (ii) sold or otherwise provided to any third party for any use, or (iii) provided to any agent or other third party to provide breeding or other services. Acceptance of MICE, PRODUCTS or SERVICES from JACKSON shall be deemed as agreement by RECIPIENT to these conditions, and departure from these conditions requires JACKSON’s prior written authorization.

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